TZDO and the Competence Centers

Competence Centers

During the last years the TZDO has concentrated on building up and extending networks of competence in order to develop technology clusters. The competence centres in the TZDO make available a broad range of infrastructure and technical know-how, particularly to small and mid-size businesses. Thus they make an important contribution to promoting existing technology-orientated firms and start-ups within the area of technology. The TZDO runs the following competence centres:

BioMedizinZentrum Dortmund

The "BioMedizinZentrumDortmund" (BMZ) offers young businesses and start-ups in the areas of bio-medicine, bio-informatics, proteomics and bio-microstructure techniques an attractive infrastructure within which they can implement their ideas and concepts. In its role as one of the competence centres belonging to the "TechnologyZentrumDortmund" it supports technology transfer from academic and scientific establishments in the region, and promotes interdisciplinary exchanges and collaboration between various research and development areas, in cooperation with the Max Planck Centre for Molecular Physiology.

By focussing on the interface between biotechnology and microsystems technology in combination with bioinformatics and medical informatics, the BMZ is able to bundle the regions' strengths. Thus the BMZ makes a fundamental contribution the development of cutting edge technology and products in Dortmund.

B1st-Software Factory

The B1st-Software Factory offers start-ups in the IT area a huge range of services with office, workshop and storage facilities on an area of around 4,000 square metres – not forgetting the necessary infrastructure. It contains a reception area with a telephone service, meeting and training rooms, and common rooms like a copy room, a kitchen etc.

"My first office" is the name of a special offer for the initial phase of startup businesses. For a maximum of nine months they can use furnished offices with a telephone connection at extremely attractive conditions, in order to test their business ideas on the market. Businesses have recourse to highly qualified staff in the building. Students at the Dortmund IT Centre are able to pursue German's fastest course in informatics. They are trained to become IT professionals in only four semesters.

e-port-dortmund

The e-port-dortmund is a start-up and competence center for logistics and information technology at the harbour in Dortmund. It promotes re-locations of innovative start-up businesses and existing firms in the logistics branch. Tenants can take advantage of flexible office space, office and network services, advice and support, and a strong network of partners. The nucleus of e-port-dortmund's work, especially in the area of e-logistics, is to initiate and provide a boost to Dortmund's growth branches of logistics and IT in their quest for new horizons.

The e-port-dortmund is an ideal meeting-point for businesses aiming to extend their logistic activities, exploit synergies and play an active role in shaping the logistics branch. Amongst the most important projects undertaken by e-port-dortmund are the "Innovationszentrum Nordstadt", the "3rd Wednesday" contact exchange, and a special prize for innovative logistics.

MST.factory dortmund

The "Phoenix West" site contains the MST.factory, a competence center for microtechnology and nanotechnology. Start-ups and technology firms benefit from a professional technical infrastructure. The new modern building covers 9.400 square metres over four floors, and contains work space, laboratory space and clean room facilities as well as all the necessary equipment.

The MST.factory helps companies to develop their products and concepts to a stage at which they can be marketed.

Center for Production Technologies (ZfP)

The center for production technology Dortmund will support linking up the crossover technologies as well as the necessary process of the technology transfer. The aim is the networking and rapid transfer of the research and development results from the most diverse basic technologies that are included in the production and manufacturing technology.

In the ZfP this is directed to the requirements and skills of the consumer markets, focussing on:

materials and surface technology

robot and automation technology

sensor technology, signal processing, measuring technology

production methods for microsystem

technology
production processes for metal forming and machining technology